Sew Easy Doorstops

These doorstops are easy to make and are multi purpose, especially if you have kids, as they use them for all sorts of things.

Step 1. Choose your materials. I used a plain colour and a feature material for my base but you could use whatever scraps you have laying around. You can adjust the sizing to be whatever you like but I made my base piece a 15.5cm square. You will also need 4 triangles. These need to have a base line of 15.5cm and the same height of 15.5cm. Also either cut a 12cm piece of ribbon or cut a rectangle of your contrast material to make a handle. I used material to match my base so cut a 12cm x 3cm strip.

Step 2. If not using a ribbon for the handle fold your rectangle of material in half lengthways and straight machine stitch up the open side about 1cm from the edge. Turn this in the correct way.

Step 3. With the correct sides facing inwards (that is the side you want on the outside when its finished) straight machine stitch one angled edge of two triangles together about 1cm from the edge. Repeat with the other 2 triangles.

Step 4. Join the triangle pairs together and prepare to sew up the remaining edges. Fold your ribbon or material handle in half and sandwich between the centre of the triangle peaks so it will be caught in when you sew up the remaining edges. Sew up the remaining edges two angled edges. I also like to sew a reinforcing stitch across the handle just below its join.

Step 5. Line up your square with the 4 bottom edges of the triangles. It can be handy to pin this in place. Straight machine stitch about 1cm from each edge, pivoting at the corners. Leave a gap of about 3cm on the 4^th side.

Step 6. Turn your pyramid inside out through your small gap so the correct sides are now facing out. Use a knitting needle (or anything pointy) to poke your corners into shape. I put a small plastic bag inside my pyramid to contain the sand in, though I suppose you could use interfacing or something fancy instead. Use a funnel to fill your pyramid with sand. It is up to you how full and firm you would like your doorstop to be. If you are using a bag, tie it off firmly and push it completely inside your pyramid.

Step 7. Slip stitch the gap closed.

I have a handful of these around my house to keep doors open, to weigh down the pop up fairy tent in the backyard on windy days, to be markers for games, to prop up the laptop/pad on an angle, I even made one for my Dad to prop his GPS on in the car complete with a little pocket for road toll or parking change. You are only limited by your imagination. These are ‘sew’ easy and do more than hold doors open.

Could you use one or maybe more of these in your house?